1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta (Tour de France)
- Engine
- 3.0L V12 SOHC, three Weber 40 DCL3 carburettors, ~263 bhp at 7,200 rpm
Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta, chassis 0897 GT, is a fifth-production 1958 'single-louver' example of the model that earned the nickname 'Tour de France' through four consecutive overall victories at that event. Completed in late March 1958 and delivered to a Milan importer, the car subsequently competed in Italian and French events, passed through notable American ownership including that of Monterey Historic Races founder Steven Earle, and later accumulated an extensive European historic-racing career across more than a decade. The original Colombo V-12 has been rebuilt and reinstalled.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £4,760,000 (≈ $5.95M)
- 1958-03-01 →Factory deliveryF.A.S.T. SpAfull documentation
Milan-based firm took delivery of the newly completed car; build sheets and dynamometer records confirm the high-output specification at delivery.
- → 1959Acquisition unknownScuderia Ambrosianapartial documentation
Racing team entered the car at a Monza event in mid-1959 before the car passed to Prince Tchkotoua.
- 1959-09-01 →Private salePrince Zourab Tchkotouapartial documentation
Purchased in September 1959 and re-registered under an Italian plate; actively campaigned the car in competition events during his tenure.
- → 1971Private saleDon Peakpartial documentation
Owned the car between Merritt and Zierling; no further detail given on duration or location.
- 1971 →Private saleBill Zierlingpartial documentation
Malibu, California owner; during or after his tenure the car was restored by Allen Bishop, who fitted a replacement engine from a 250 GT PF Coupé.
- → 1995Private saleEngelbert E. Stiegerpartial documentation
St. Gallen, Switzerland owner who tracked down and purchased the car's original engine; also had a partial restoration carried out by Garage Leirer in Switzerland.
- 1995 →Private saleMatthias Fitchfull documentation
Munich-based owner who regularly used the car on European rallies and historic racing events over approximately 17 years; retained the original engine throughout, which was later rebuilt and reinstalled by GTO Engineering prior to sale.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSteven J. Earlepartial documentation
California-based owner, founder of the Monterey Historic Races; car was exported from Italy to the US during or before his ownership.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRichard W. Merrittpartial documentation
Bethesda, Maryland enthusiast who acquired the car from Earle; the original engine is believed to have been removed during this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDon Oroscopartial documentation
Carmel, California enthusiast; commissioned a fresh restoration by Nino Epifani Restorations in Berkeley, completed in 1989.
Competition
- 1959-06-28Gran Premio della Lotteria di MonzaDriver: Carlo Leto di PrioloDNF
Entered under Scuderia Ambrosiana wearing race number 20; recorded the ninth quickest lap during qualifying despite failing to finish.
- 1959-09-06Côte de la Faucille hillclimbDriver: Prince Zourab Tchkotoua2nd in class, 13th overall
Driven by the car's then-new owner shortly after he acquired it in September 1959.
- 2010Le Mans Classic
One of two Le Mans Classic participations during Fitch's ownership.
- 2012Le Mans Classic
Second Le Mans Classic entry during the Fitch ownership period.
- —Mille Miglia
Participated in the historic Mille Miglia on five separate occasions during Fitch's ownership period.
- —Ferrari Maserati Historic ChallengeFerrari Maserati Historic Challenge
Competed in this series as part of regular European historic racing activity during the Fitch era.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1971RestorationAllen Bishop
Car restored by Allen Bishop; a replacement engine sourced from a Ferrari 250 GT PF Coupé (engine number 1555 GT) was fitted in place of the missing original unit.
Workshop located in Pacific Palisades, California; work carried out during or following Bill Zierling's acquisition.
- 1989RestorationNino Epifani Restorations
Second restoration of the car undertaken while in the care of Don Orosco, carried out by Nino Epifani Restorations.
Workshop located in Berkeley, California.
- —Modification
Original engine removed from the car; specific circumstances not recorded but believed to have occurred during one owner's tenure in the late 1960s to early 1970s.
Believed to have taken place while Richard W. Merritt owned the car.
- —RestorationGarage Leirer
Partial restoration carried out by a Swiss workshop during Engelbert Stieger's ownership; the car's original engine was also sourced and reacquired at this time.
Work performed in Switzerland; original engine reunited with the car but not yet reinstalled at this stage.
- —Engine rebuildGTO Engineering
Original Colombo V-12 engine fully rebuilt by a Ferrari specialist and subsequently reinstalled in the car; only test mileage accumulated since completion.
Carried out prior to the auction sale; the car is reported to be in excellent driving condition following the work.
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